Ask most cyclists if a sporting motorcycle can be equiped with a shaft drive and the answer will probably be no, not happening.
By sporting m/c I mean race replica canyon carving hooligan, no compromise attack machine. So the FJR may not be in this catagory.
Sport Touring and straight ahead Touring catagories of motorcycling are the other slots one could place the FJR. My bias is in the direction of Sport Touring, defined as: Riding at an 80-85% pace over the twistiest sp) roads for one or more days. Touring, I define as travelling for many days at a leisurley pace. Just look at your tire wear pattern and you will know which catagory you are in.
When the FJR first came on the scene, many of us climbed on the train and have been having a hoot as the train rocks down the line. I never thought of the FJR as a Race Replica or a Touring motorcycle. For me it matched my ideal of a Sport Touring machine with the following attributes: Massive power, quick enough handling, hard bags, shaft drive, all day comfort, and not too much weight. The package as delivered was a willing partner in achieving this ideal. Working to fine tune the basic unit with Mr. Power Commander, Mr. Corbin, Mr. Ohlins/Wilbers etc. has resulted in a delightful package! The one area which we could not farkle our way out of is weight. Big weight is a big compromise for any motorcycle. The 2001/2003 bike without bags and no gas weighs something like 537lbs, with bags about 560lbs. I'm certain I will be corrected on these numbers! To me this is stretching the limit for a "sporting" motorcycle. Under 500lbs with bags would be great. Alas, the FJR carries his weight well once proper suspension is fitted. My mechanic described riding the FJR as dancing with a fat lady. On a three day trip, I would rather dance with a fat lady than be sand and wind blasted on a full on sport bike.
For me the FJR has never been a full on Touring rig. Some have installed auxillary fuel tanks, lights and barn door wind screens to fit the Long Distance needs. I have never been willing to diminish the Canyon Carver attitude by going in this direction. To the FJRs credit, the basic unit is adaptable and works as a lightweight fast tourer.
And back to the Shaft drive. What a great concept; low maintenance and utterly reliable. What we lack in the Race Replica look, we benefit by never giving the drive train a thought when we are out on the road, days from home. The success of the FJR as a Sport Touring machine is evidenced by the pride all of us share when we roll into the mountaintop restaurant parking lot full of cyclist. The FJR is not to be denied.
In San Diego, BAGSTR
By sporting m/c I mean race replica canyon carving hooligan, no compromise attack machine. So the FJR may not be in this catagory.
Sport Touring and straight ahead Touring catagories of motorcycling are the other slots one could place the FJR. My bias is in the direction of Sport Touring, defined as: Riding at an 80-85% pace over the twistiest sp) roads for one or more days. Touring, I define as travelling for many days at a leisurley pace. Just look at your tire wear pattern and you will know which catagory you are in.
When the FJR first came on the scene, many of us climbed on the train and have been having a hoot as the train rocks down the line. I never thought of the FJR as a Race Replica or a Touring motorcycle. For me it matched my ideal of a Sport Touring machine with the following attributes: Massive power, quick enough handling, hard bags, shaft drive, all day comfort, and not too much weight. The package as delivered was a willing partner in achieving this ideal. Working to fine tune the basic unit with Mr. Power Commander, Mr. Corbin, Mr. Ohlins/Wilbers etc. has resulted in a delightful package! The one area which we could not farkle our way out of is weight. Big weight is a big compromise for any motorcycle. The 2001/2003 bike without bags and no gas weighs something like 537lbs, with bags about 560lbs. I'm certain I will be corrected on these numbers! To me this is stretching the limit for a "sporting" motorcycle. Under 500lbs with bags would be great. Alas, the FJR carries his weight well once proper suspension is fitted. My mechanic described riding the FJR as dancing with a fat lady. On a three day trip, I would rather dance with a fat lady than be sand and wind blasted on a full on sport bike.
For me the FJR has never been a full on Touring rig. Some have installed auxillary fuel tanks, lights and barn door wind screens to fit the Long Distance needs. I have never been willing to diminish the Canyon Carver attitude by going in this direction. To the FJRs credit, the basic unit is adaptable and works as a lightweight fast tourer.
And back to the Shaft drive. What a great concept; low maintenance and utterly reliable. What we lack in the Race Replica look, we benefit by never giving the drive train a thought when we are out on the road, days from home. The success of the FJR as a Sport Touring machine is evidenced by the pride all of us share when we roll into the mountaintop restaurant parking lot full of cyclist. The FJR is not to be denied.
In San Diego, BAGSTR
